Political Quotes

“My friend said we are trying to spare people tough votes. That is ridiculous. Members on your side, Members on our side--we are grownup Senators. We know how to win elections, cast tough votes. I want to protect the American people, and so do a lot of folks on our side of the aisle. And we don't want to see majority rule to repeal landmark environmental laws. We are not going to stand for it, and neither would the minority leader in the way he describes it. He said over and over that on amendments of controversy we have to have a 60- vote threshold. So my friend, if he is sincere about this--he is sincere about this. But if the two chairmen can come up with a plan where amendments like this, controversial amendments, require 60 but amendments that both sides feel are not controversial can go to a voice vote, I will be a happy person. I have gotten bills through here before. I wasn't born yesterday, as you can probably tell, and we know a controversial amendment from a noncontroversial amendment. So I will close with this: I know my friend Senator Mikulski is an incredible chairman, and with Richard Shelby working with her, they are quite the duo. And I have seen their work--because every single Member cares about the work they do--and it is stellar. But I am not going to sit here and see amendments come to the floor that would repeal clean air, clean water, safe drinking water, and just nod approval and say: Oh yeah, just take it away. No big deal. That is it.…”